Post by X factor on Jan 11, 2014 12:31:19 GMT -5

What writers could learn from rappers

Rappers are writers...many don't realize that, but every single rapper, is a writer, regardless of their style, whether NE rhyme and flow style or SE krunk and grind style or W-coast gangsta style, Chicago style, it don't matter...every rapper is a writer first, and a rapper second.

Every rapper has to first write out lyrics, which are usually most often based on their own life experience, and interpitation of the world.

If traditional book or fiction writers are cocaine, rappers would be like crack, in that they get to the point a hell of a lot quicker, and tell their story in 3-4 pages, or 6 minutes, instead of 300 pages, and maybe 4 months to 6 years to writing about it.

Rappers take what traditional writers do and condense it all into one quick sound bit.Then they put a rhythm and beat to it and 'walla'...they have a hit song, or track.

A rap album or cd or whatever packaged music is called now, is basically a book, a story, or series of stories put to song...(music singers do the exact same thing).

But here's where rappers and many writers differ, rappers don't bother with fictional characters...early rappers kind of did, when rap was new, but for the most part, every song on track is about self, or what self has gone through, is going through...and that's what resignates with fans...they want to here about 'you'...not fictional characters...unless those fictional characters are derivatives of self.

In the rap industry, a rap album would not sell, if the rap artist rapped about fictional characters...it just would not resignate with the rap audience.

Slim Shady resignates with fans, cause in every song they know he's rapping about himself, what he goes through, and that's where other people relate, connect.

Cause one thing rappers realize, or realized long ago, that many writers have not, is that people are more fascinated with 'you', than they are characters that don't exist, that they can't ever touch or feel.

And when you write about self, it just flows easier, even if you base fictional character on self, you don't have to sit and wonder what fictional character would do or say, cause it's basically you.

Even if ones life is boring and square, believe it or not people want to hear that, cause there are many out there with boring dull square lives, who'd love to know their not alone.

But as a fictional writer, if you live in Moscow, ID yet write a book about a detective in New York City, the writing will seem stiff, and wooden...since New York City is nothing like Moscow, ID...

But if writer from Moscow, writes about small town detective in Moscow, the book will flow much better, cause it will be based on what they know, and have been around.

And if the writers convincing enough, even people from New York will want to know about Moscow, ID...

Post by X factor on Jan 30, 2016 17:47:06 GMT -5

When Easy E started off, he couldn't find distributor, agent, manager, so he just made his own music and distributed his own cassette tapes from the back trunk of his vehicle.

Yes, back then they used cassette tapes before todays technology.

In other words he just did it, made it happen, promoted his own work by distributing it himself and slowly building name for himself on the streets.

Todays writers have lost that concept and feel the only way they can be successful is if they make money from what they write, which means going down usually path of trying to find publisher, agent ect.

Trying to, or not being able to find all of that is what usually discourages many from starting book or ebook, before they even begin.

Easy E did it the right way, in that he knew it was better to be known first, have your name circulating around, and then when did come out with first album, already had name recognition and following.

Writers should do the same, in my opinion, write a book or sample of book, for free and sell it yourself, hand out for free, or leave at strategic places where target audience likely to be.(Obviously not a full book, but rather pamphlet sized mini book with samples of poetry, fiction and or commentary, education, or other, and if good, people will respond, and a good way to test niche market)

The returns will come, people still like to read what they can hold and take with them, in which one can also leave website info and so forth.

My point is many have gotten lazy in this digital age, and feel everything has to be done online, and expect instant recognition and rewards to occur as a virtual unknown.

It's better to first be known, have your work known, and then sell, than to be an unknown trying to sell something.

As an Author with no connections, who loves to write, than by all means write, put it out there on the streets and see how people respond.

Do it all yourself though at first, don't be fooled into thinking you need representation to get started or you'll be waiting around forever for someone to notice you.

But if you put your stuff out there, the person who you want to notice you will, by accident, and they'll call you.